A ball retriever assembly for retrieving and storing balls includes a hopper body defining a hollow storage space therein and at least one attachment configured for removable coupling to the hopper body. Each of the attachments includes a retrieval structure configured for unidirectional passage of one of the balls through the corresponding one of the attachments. A lid is configured for removable coupling to the hopper body as well as each of the attachments. The lid is adjustable between a ball retrieval configuration wherein the lid encloses an end of the hollow storage space and a ball removal configuration wherein the lid forms a stand for maintaining an upright and open configuration of the hopper body. The different attachments configured for removable coupling to the hopper body allow for the unidirectional passage of different ranges of outer ball diameters.

A golf club shaft includes: a butt end; a tip end, where the golf club shaft is tapered between the butt end and the tip end; coils of fiber wound helically relative to an axis of the golf club shaft; and one or more layers of composite material wrapped around the coils of fiber and disposed radially outwardly of the coils of fiber.

A bat having a handle inner shaft and a grip sleeve surrounding and radially spaced from the handle inner shaft.

A projection system includes a control module, a projection tube, an aiming driver, an observation device and an observation driver. The control module is configured to issue a first control command and a second control command. The aiming driver is electrically connected to the projection tube and configured to control, in response to the first control command, a projection viewing-line of the projection tube to be aligned with a calibration point. The observation driver is electrically connected to the observation device and configured to control, in response to the second control command, an observation viewing-line of the observation device to be aligned with the calibration point. The projection tube and the observation device are controlled asynchronously.

A helmet for protecting a wearer's head. The helmet includes an outer shell including a first shell member and a second shell member movable relative to one another in a longitudinal direction of the helmet to adjust a fit of the helmet on the wearer's head. The helmet includes an adjustment mechanism configured to control movement of the first shell member and the second shell member relative to one another. The adjustment mechanism includes an actuator movable between a first position in which the first shell member and the second shell member are allowed to move relative to one another and a second position in which the first shell member and the second shell member are precluded from moving relative to one another. The actuator is configured to lock the first shell member and the second shell member relative to one another without extending through a given one of the first shell member and the second shell member.

The present invention provides a method and kit for the treatment of surfaces, such as the skin surface of a user, to impart hydrophobic characteristics upon the surface. The treatment of surfaces to impart hydrophobicity protects equipment, personnel, and animals from the effects of aqueous solutions such as water, toxic slurries, concrete, acids and bases.

A device for practicing hitting a ball may comprise a bat and a flag portion. The bat may comprise a bat stick comprising a bat handle and a bat barrel coupled to the bat handle; and a weight coupled to the bat barrel. The bat may comprise a rigid material. The flag portion may comprise a flag coupled to the bat barrel, wherein the flag is configured to extend from the bat barrel. The flag may comprise a flimsy material.

An adjustable knee wedge may include a wedge shaped first compressible block, a wedge shaped second compressible block releasably coupled to the wedge shaped first compressible block and a leg guard mounting interface coupled to at least one of the first compressible block and the second compressible block.

A ball bat configured for impacting a ball. The ball bat extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a bat frame and a pivot joint. The bat frame includes a handle portion coupled to a barrel portion. The barrel portions has a distal region. The pivot joint is coupled to the distal region of the barrel portion. The pivot joint movably supports the barrel portion relative to the longitudinal axis such that the distal region of the barrel portion may pivot towards and away from the longitudinal axis about the pivot joint.

A pitching target assembly for training baseball or softball pitchers. A target defines a plurality of zones, each being backed by a pocket or pouch for catching the baseball or softball. The height of the target can be adjusted to match that of a batter. The zones of the target may be adjusted as well, to tailor the targeting within the zone for specific purposes. The target may also be configured at an acute angle relative to a base plane of the pitching target assembly for practicing drop pitches.